Richmond City Guide
Image by FloNight via wikidata

United States

Richmond City Guide

Kentucky

Richmond, Kentucky, is a small city with a relaxed vibe and a strong community feel. It’s home to Eastern Kentucky University, which gives it some youthful energy. You'll find historical sites, parks, and a slower pace of life here.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Food is mostly American and Southern, with some Mexican, Chinese, and Italian options. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night food is mostly fast food.

Local Dishes:
Kentucky Hot Brown, Derby Pie
International Cuisine:
Mexican, Chinese, Italian
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
4

Nightlife centers on local bars and pubs with a relaxed crowd, including students. Few live music or clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Growing coffee scene with local shops and chains. Not a major coffee hub.

💰
Tipping
Required
15%

Tipping is expected for service jobs.

Top Attractions
White Hall State Historic Site
Historic
Home of Cassius M. Clay, showcases local history.
Fort Boonesborough State Park
Historic
Reconstructed pioneer fort and village.
Hummel Planetarium
Cultural
Science and astronomy shows.
Lake Reba Park
Outdoor
Recreational area with trails and water activities.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile stores. Good coverage overall. eSIMs are becoming more common.

Available at:
AT&T Store
Verizon Store
T-Mobile Store
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Uber/Lyft(Transport)
DoorDash/Grubhub(Food Delivery)
Yelp(Local Info)
Weather Channel App(Weather)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

The city maintains good cleanliness and waste collection, with recycling programs.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Limited 24/7 services. Gas stations often open all night; most pharmacies close early.

Groceries
Kroger
Walmart Supercenter
Aldi

You’ll find Kroger, Walmart, and Aldi for groceries. International products are limited but available. Stores usually open 6 or 7 AM to 10 or 11 PM.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept major credit and debit cards. Cash is accepted but not always needed.

ATMs

ATMs from Chase, PNC, Whitaker Bank, and others are easy to find. Out-of-network fees usually run $2.50 to $5.00.

Schools
Local only

Eastern Kentucky University is here. Public K-12 schools serve the area, mainly in English. No notable international schools.

Available Schools:
Eastern Kentucky University
Madison County Schools

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Multiple locations with Wi-Fi and seating.
Purdy's Coffee Co.
Local coffee shop with Wi-Fi.
Panera Bread
Good Wi-Fi and seating.
McDonald's
Free Wi-Fi available.
Alternatives:
Richmond Public Library
Quiet place to work with internet.
EKU Library
Access mostly for students but some areas open to public.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

No strong nomad community yet. Most networking is through university or local events.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Good access to parks and green areas, especially Lake Reba Park and EKU campus.

Running
Good
7

Popular running routes around Lake Reba Park and EKU campus, with mostly safe paths.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and fitness centers serve locals and students.

Available Gyms:
Planet Fitness
Richmond Fitness & Wellness Center
EKU Campus Recreation
YMCA of Central Kentucky (Richmond Branch)
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts at Lake Reba Park and EKU campus.

Padel
Poor
0

No padel courts available.

Yoga
Good
6

Several yoga studios and wellness centers offer classes and drop-in options.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Dojo options include Taekwondo, Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing nearby.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Kayaking and paddleboarding at Lake Reba Park and the nearby Kentucky River.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing available nearby.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving or snorkeling options.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Baptist Health Richmond is the main hospital, with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are common.

Hospitals:
Baptist Health Richmond
Pharmacies:
CVS
Walgreens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets federal and state standards and is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online phishing, Phone scams (IRS impersonators), Door-to-door solicitations

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Parks like Lake Reba Park and Paradise Cove Aquatic Center are great for families. Some kid-friendly spots, but dedicated cafes are rare.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
6

LGBTQ+ acceptance is moderate, influenced by the university but state views vary.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pet-friendly with parks allowing leashed dogs and available veterinary services.

Communities
Richmond, KY Community Facebook Group (Social)
EKU Social Media Channels (Education)

Quick Facts

Population
34,585
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is reliable with occasional outages during storms.

Mountains
Available

Near Appalachian foothills with access to Daniel Boone National Forest.

Languages
English(95%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services
859-623-1162
Richmond Police Department

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
June, July, August
Hot and humid summers.
Thunderstorms
March, April, May, June, July
Frequent storms, sometimes severe.
Winter weather
January, February
Possible snow and ice.

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